So I been looking for quite some time for a new TV and finally after test driving bunch of trucks I think I found the one. I looked at diesel vs. gas, but I just do not drive it enough to spend the extra $$$ for a diesel, I currently only put about 6k miles a year in my current truck as she is not my daily driver and just sits in drive way.
Its a 2003 Chevy Ext. Cab 2500HD 4x4 with the 8.1 in it. It is a one owner with 88000 miles on it.
What do you think? Good, bad terrible....I currently have a Suburban with 454 7.4 in it and I get 6.57 towing my 23ft Toy Hauler...From What I have read on here I should be getting slightly better mpg...
Depends on the trailer. The 8.1 is a proven, bulletproof engine. You will probably get around 10-12 empty on the highway, and depending on the trailer size, you may get 5-6. You can pick the 8.1 trucks up cheap compared to the duramax, and the towing performance is excellent. You'll have no lack of power, but you'll never pass a gas station when towing. What's their asking price? I wouldn't pay over about $12k for that truck.
Pickups get Alison trans, SUVs got the GM 4-spd. No complaints about either one. The 8.1L will feel noticeably more powerful than your 454 and get better fuel economy, towing and unloaded.
One note: the 6.5' bed truck only got a 26 gallon fuel tank, so range is limited.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
glamisorbust wrote: Depends on the trailer. The 8.1 is a proven, bulletproof engine. You will probably get around 10-12 empty on the highway, and depending on the trailer size, you may get 5-6. You can pick the 8.1 trucks up cheap compared to the duramax, and the towing performance is excellent. You'll have no lack of power, but you'll never pass a gas station when towing. What's their asking price? I wouldn't pay over about $12k for that truck.
Wow, those kind of mileage numbers are going to hurt the old pocketbook......
Sam
2001.5 Dodge QC2500 coal burner, 6spd,BD brake,a pile of other stuff!
little black box, K&N'd,only smokes a little....
2008 Thor Jazz 2870UK 5er
OP already gets 6.57mpg. All accounts I have read is the 8.1L is a noticeably better engine than the 7.4L it replaced. More torque over a broader engine speed range. More HP, and better fuel economy while doing so.
Yup, probably about 50% more power than a 454. I've towed plenty with both, the 8.1 is a clear winner in my book. Don't get your hopes up too high for fuel mileage, you will probably get 6 or 7 towing your toyhauler. The 26 gallon tank if it's a short bed is miserable but manageable. If you get the long bed, I believe that's a 34 or 35 gallon tank. My duramax short bed will only go about 200 miles towing my large 5th wheel, so every 150 I get out, stretch my legs, fill the tank and check everything over. Gives me an excuse to go along with the fuel stop. All of the pickups got the allison if they have a big block or duramax.
glamisorbust wrote: Yup, probably about 50% more power than a 454. I've towed plenty with both, the 8.1 is a clear winner in my book. Don't get your hopes up too high for fuel mileage, you will probably get 6 or 7 towing your toyhauler. The 26 gallon tank if it's a short bed is miserable but manageable. If you get the long bed, I believe that's a 34 or 35 gallon tank. My duramax short bed will only go about 200 miles towing my large 5th wheel, so every 150 I get out, stretch my legs, fill the tank and check everything over. Gives me an excuse to go along with the fuel stop. All of the pickups got the allison if they have a big block or duramax.
It does have the 6.5 box, but according to them it has the 34 gallon tank.....I will have to find out for sure, it has currently about 1/4 tank and they are going to fill it, so will see how many gallons go in.
If it's the short bed, it's definitely the 26 gallon tank, unless someone put a larger, aftermarket tank in it. The price sounds like a good deal on the truck. My brother bought his less than 2 years ago, same truck only it's a crew cab and a 2004. He paid $18k private party with 50k miles on it. Truck now has over 75k and has been completely trouble free. My dad has a 2001 crew cab 3500 dually flatbed with a 9'bed and hydraulic lift gate, 8.1/A. He has put 75k miles on that truck, completely trouble free also. He did have some problems with the a/c recently and had to put almost $2k into just that to repair it correctly. He gets 9mpg empty or loaded to the gills, doesn't matter to that truck. I'd pull the trigger in a second if you like the truck, you'll love the power.
glamisorbust wrote: Depends on the trailer. The 8.1 is a proven, bulletproof engine. You will probably get around 10-12 empty on the highway, and depending on the trailer size, you may get 5-6. You can pick the 8.1 trucks up cheap compared to the duramax, and the towing performance is excellent. You'll have no lack of power, but you'll never pass a gas station when towing. What's their asking price? I wouldn't pay over about $12k for that truck.
Tell me again why gas is cheaper than Diesel??
I had a ford 460 that got about 7 towing and 12 empty. I now get 12 towing 12K 5er, and 20 empty on the highway, and 14 to 15 commuting in town. So I pay $.30 more per gallon, at twice the mileage payback come quick.
I paid 12K for it two years ago.
Russ & Paula
The Beagles Hedwig and Precious.
Portland, OR.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS
2001 Dodge 2500 4X4, 5.9 Cummins 5 speed, 3.55 gears, Pacbrake, Power Puck, 258K
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